Longtime Al Jazeera Anchor Jamil Azar Passes Away at 89
A veteran journalist and pioneering voice of Arab media, Jamil Azar, has left an indelible mark on the world of journalism with his passing. The 89-year-old Iraqi-Jordanian journalist had been a driving force behind Al Jazeera's Arabic service for over three decades, leaving an enduring legacy that will be deeply felt by those who knew him and worked alongside him.
Azar's remarkable journey began in 1965 when he joined the BBC's Arabic Service as a news translator and presenter. He would go on to hold various positions within the network, including producing several high-profile programmes such as "Politics Between the Questioner and the Respondent" and "Arab Affairs in the British Press." In 1996, Azar joined Al Jazeera at its inception on July 30, playing a pivotal role in shaping the network's early years as a news anchor and presenter.
As the author of Al Jazeera's iconic motto, "The opinion and the other opinion," Azar embodied the very spirit of fair and balanced journalism that has always defined the network. His dedication to integrity, excellence, and professionalism has inspired generations of journalists who have had the privilege of working alongside him at Al Jazeera and other institutions.
Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, Director-General of Al Jazeera, paid tribute to Azar as a "distinguished linguist" and a living embodiment of journalism's highest ideals. Azar's passing marks not only the end of an era but also a loss for Arab media, which has been left to mourn the loss of one of its most respected figures.
Azar's legacy will be remembered through his countless contributions to the world of journalism, including his commitment to promoting editorial excellence and his unwavering loyalty to Al Jazeera. As we bid farewell to this remarkable journalist, we take comfort in knowing that his impact on the media landscape will continue to inspire and shape generations to come.
A veteran journalist and pioneering voice of Arab media, Jamil Azar, has left an indelible mark on the world of journalism with his passing. The 89-year-old Iraqi-Jordanian journalist had been a driving force behind Al Jazeera's Arabic service for over three decades, leaving an enduring legacy that will be deeply felt by those who knew him and worked alongside him.
Azar's remarkable journey began in 1965 when he joined the BBC's Arabic Service as a news translator and presenter. He would go on to hold various positions within the network, including producing several high-profile programmes such as "Politics Between the Questioner and the Respondent" and "Arab Affairs in the British Press." In 1996, Azar joined Al Jazeera at its inception on July 30, playing a pivotal role in shaping the network's early years as a news anchor and presenter.
As the author of Al Jazeera's iconic motto, "The opinion and the other opinion," Azar embodied the very spirit of fair and balanced journalism that has always defined the network. His dedication to integrity, excellence, and professionalism has inspired generations of journalists who have had the privilege of working alongside him at Al Jazeera and other institutions.
Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, Director-General of Al Jazeera, paid tribute to Azar as a "distinguished linguist" and a living embodiment of journalism's highest ideals. Azar's passing marks not only the end of an era but also a loss for Arab media, which has been left to mourn the loss of one of its most respected figures.
Azar's legacy will be remembered through his countless contributions to the world of journalism, including his commitment to promoting editorial excellence and his unwavering loyalty to Al Jazeera. As we bid farewell to this remarkable journalist, we take comfort in knowing that his impact on the media landscape will continue to inspire and shape generations to come.
... I mean, 89 is old, but you can't put a price on experience, right? Jamil Azar was definitely a legend in the journalism world 
, and it's cool that Al Jazeera gave him his start back in the day. But let's be real, some folks might say he was a bit too straight-laced for his own good 
... I mean, who doesn't love a good opinion showdown every now and then? Still, you gotta respect the guy's dedication to fairness and balance – that's what journalism's all about 
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what a legend Jamil Azar was 
! 89 years young is still pretty incredible, especially considering all he accomplished in journalism. I'm so grateful for ppl like him who've paved the way 4 fair & balanced reporting. He's a shining example of integrity & professionalism 
. My heart goes out to Al Jazeera & the Arab media community, losin' someone as iconic & respected as Jamil Azar is never easy 
. But I know his legacy will continue 2 inspire & shape journalism 4 generations 2 come 
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my heart goes out to jamil azar's family & friends 
he was such an iconic figure in journalism, inspiring so many with his integrity & dedication 
his legacy is a reminder that there are still people like him who truly care about sharing diverse perspectives & promoting fairness & balance in the media 
it's okay to feel sad, but let's also celebrate the impact he had on so many lives & remember his contributions to the world of journalism 
89 is old age but hes still managed to do so much for journalism... i mean the guy was a pioneer 
al jazeera wouldnt be the same without him lol guess who's gonna step up now tho? some young kid trying to fill his shoes 
anyway, im sad he's gone but his legacy lives on and that's all thats matter 
He was a true legend 
! His dedication to fair & balanced reporting was truly inspiring 
, and his motto "The opinion and the other opinion" is still a guiding principle for many journalists today 
! Azar's passing might have left us with tears in our eyes 
! He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and worked alongside him, and we're grateful for the memories he left behind 
. His dedication to fairness and balance is something we can all learn from 
... I mean, 60+ years of making us think with his insightful reporting 
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always kept it fair and balanced, even when others were being all hate-filled 
al Jazeera lost a big piece of its soul today 
but his legacy lives on through the countless journalists he inspired to do the same thing - just keep it real and keep it informed 
AZAR FOREVER 
Jamil Azar's passing is a huge loss for journalism. He was more than just an anchor, he was a symbol of fairness and balance. I remember watching him on Al Jazeera all those years ago and feeling like I was getting both sides of the story. His legacy will live on, but it's hard to imagine anyone filling his shoes 
His legacy is a huge loss for Arab media, but I think it's also an opportunity for us to learn from his approach to fair & balanced reporting. He always said "the opinion and the other opinion" – that's so true! As someone who grew up watching Al Jazeera, I can see why he was such a pioneer 
. I mean, I get it, he was a legend in Arab media and all, but still...he was a BBC anchor back in '65? What was the news agenda back then? "Hey, there's a war going on over here, let's talk about it in Arabic!" 
What really gets me is how much he embodies the spirit of fair journalism, you know? His motto "the opinion and the other opinion" was all about finding common ground and presenting different perspectives. It's crazy that he's no longer with us but I take comfort knowing his legacy will live on and inspire new generations to follow in his footsteps 
And honestly, I don't see what the big deal is about him being a pioneering voice for Arab media... more power to whoever comes along next 
He was one of those people who made journalism cool I mean he started back in 65 with BBC Arabic service and then just went up from there 
. What a legend!